crown, cross & crown, and ihs

Paraments

The crown by itself is a symbol of Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. With the cross, we are reminded that the path back to His seat at the right hand of God the Father Almighty was through Calvary, by which our redemption was purchased. Revelation 2:10 reminds us that though we go through trials for the faith, a reward awaits us: “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” James similarly says in 1:12 of his epistle, “The man who patiently endures the temptations and trials that come to him is the truly happy man. For once his testing is complete he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to all who love Him.”

In the background of the crown-and-cross parament on the right is the I.H.S. symbol, which also appears in the narthex stained glass as shown below. This symbol is used with minor variation in most western Christian churches. These are the first three letters of Jesus’ name in Greek, using the Latin S corresponding to the Greek (sigma).

Other explanations considered historically inaccurate are often given, the most popular of which is that this is an acronym for the first three words of in hoc signo (vinces), the vision seen by Constantine at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312, when Constantine was converted to become the first Christian emperor of Rome. This is a Latin translation of the Greek , “in this (sign) conquer”. A slightly modified version of the St. Mark’s rendition is used as the symbol of the Jesuit order, to which the English words In His Service are appropriately, if inaccurately, ascribed.